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rem • i • nis • cence n., memory or something remembered. As an adult writer, Proust used great detail in each reminiscence from his youth.
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op • u • lent adj., very wealthy or rich. The celebrity was known for showing off his wealth by giving opulent parties.
re • splend • ent adj., shining brightly. The sequins covered Keisha’s prom dress, making her glowing and resplendent.
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de • mean • or n., way of behaving; manner. My brother’s psychologist tells him that he must work to improve his obnoxious demeanor.
ma • lig • nant adj., harmful; evil. Her intentions were so malignant that we worried she would hurt someone.
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ter • mi • nate vi., end; stop; cease. I wish the families would terminate their longstanding feud.
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cor • di • al • i • ty n., warm, friendly act or remark. She was a woman of great cordiality, welcoming people to her home with a smile.
er • ro • ne • ous adj., mistaken; wrong. The man was jailed on erroneous charges and was later released.
tes • ti • ly adv., in an irritable manner. “I won’t eat my broccoli!” the toddler said testily.
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del • e • te • ri • ous adj., harmful to health or well-being. Too much caffeine can cause deleterious effects on sleep patterns.
por • tal n., doorway, gate, or entrance. The portal to the castle was heavily guarded and the knight could find no other entrance.
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a • nal • o • gy n., similarity in some respects between things otherwise unalike. You can draw a definite analogy between her treatment as a child and her behavior as an adult.
phe • nom • e • non n., extremely unusual or extraordinary thing or occurrence. A total eclipse is a rare phenomenon.
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rec • om • pense vt., repay; reward. “To recompense your hard work, I will triple your salary,” Ray’s boss said.
un • in • tel • li • gi • ble adj., that which cannot be understood. The cellular phone picked up so much static that her voice was unintelligible.
va • ga • ry n., odd, whimsical, or freakish idea or notion. One of his vagaries was to take a hot-air balloon trip around the world.
af • fin • i • ty n., close relationship; connection. We share an affinity for football and would not miss a game.
bane • ful adj., causing distress, death, or ruin. Hemlock is a baneful substance, as Socrates would attest.
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lu • rid adj., vivid in a harsh or shocking way. The bright lights of the casinos cast a lurid glow over the city.
as • suage vt., lessen; calm; pacify. To assuage his guilt, Rob told Mia he would replace the video he had lost.
spec • u • la • tive adj., theoretical. Her idea is still speculative; she hasn’t put it into practice yet.
un • to • ward adj., improper; unseemly; not favorable. Such untoward and improper behavior will not be tolerated.
im • per • turb • a • ble adj., that cannot be disconnected or disturbed. Jeff was so imperturbable that nothing could shake him.
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eb • ul • li • tion n., boiling or bubbling up. Jamie’s ebullition could not be contained when she won the tennis match.
va • cu • i • ty n., empty space, void, or vacuum. Can you picture the vacuity of outer space and its total emptiness?
de • lu • so • ry adj., quality of seeming unreal. His dream of winning the lottery was nothing but a delusory fantasy.
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e • qua • nim • i • ty n., evenness of mind or temper. Josh considered all opinions calmly and with great equanimity.
de • praved adj., morally bad; corrupt. Lucy considered any but the most upright actions to be depraved.
de • port • ment n., manner of conducting or bearing oneself. Etiquette is a concern for the proper deportment of individuals.
con • nois • seur n., person who has expert knowledge in some field. The food critic was a knowledgeable connoisseur of fine chocolates.
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fer • vor n., great warmth or emotion. Alex has a great fervor for life and experiences everything fully.
ev • a • nes • cent adj., tending to fade; vanishing. My dreams are evanescent; they vanish as soon as I wake.
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e • ma • ci • at • ed adj., abnormally thin. After being sick, my cat had lost so much weight he appeared emaciated.
trans • mute vt., change from one form, species, or condition into another. The caterpillar transmuted into a beautiful butterfly.
rev • er • ie n., dreamy thinking. My mother woke me from my reverie, saying, “Stop daydreaming and pay attention!”
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in • fringe vt., violate [a rule]; vi., encroach; trespass [used with on or upon]. By restricting our voting rights, you are infringing on our rights as citizens.
ar • tic • u • lat • ed adj., made up of distinct syllables or words, as human speech. Laila spoke so clearly that everyone could understand her articulated words.
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im • bue vt., fill; saturate. Tom was imbued with an inner strength that carried him through many difficult times.
e • vince vt., show plainly; indicate. The expression on Mikhail’s face evinced anger at the new homework policy.
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ef • fi • ca • cious adj., producing or capable of producing the desired effect. When Devon had strep throat, his doctor prescribed an efficacious antibiotic.
sur • mise n., conjecture; guess. From Shawna’s strange behavior, I surmised she was upset.
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in • sin • u • ate vt., introduce or work into gradually. As skillfully as he could, the lawyer began to insinuate that the defendant had committed the robbery.
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tor • pid adj., dormant; sluggish. The townspeople were deceived by the torpid appearance of the flood waters.